JOHN Drop New Video “The Common Cold”

UK cryptically-named duo JOHN – comprised of John Newton (drums, lead vocals) and Johnny Healey (guitar, backing vocals), share today “The Common Cold“, third single taken from their upcoming album “A Life Diagrammatic” out September 22 via Brace Yourself and Pets Care Records.

The track, which closes out the album, uses sampled noise to hammer home the damaging role of traditions in our present – and how these traditions often prevent positive changes in our future – and builds from distorted, industrial drums and wailing, siren-like guitars into repeated ruminations of “it’s comical, the common cold,” from Newton. Permeated throughout by a tangible sense of unease, it leaves the record on a questioning note, beckoning you back in for a second look at the album’s many enclosed secrets.

“A Life Diagrammatic” was recorded by Tom Hill at The Bookhouse in South London, mixed by Seth Manchester (METZ, Big Brave, Battles) and mastered by Frank Arkwright (Arab Strap, Squarepusher, Autechre) with the aim of merging the powerful live presence of the band whilst also honing in on some of the more varied dynamics at play. “We wanted to further explore the space and ambience of our instrumentation,” says Newton. “To offer an album that deliberately pushes and pulls in a multitude of directions throughout its duration.”

You can now preorder the album at the following LINK

“I’m often thinking about the changes of technology since our childhood,” explains Newton, “as two individuals that grew with the appearance of mobile phones and the internet. It’s now increasingly hard to remember the years spent previous to this. Only dwindling examples, like finding out about music from now-defunct printed magazines bought from now-disappeared corner shops.”

“It’s a well beaten statement, but these networks have monopolised as a central focus point, where the individual is often indirectly coerced into feeling inadequate when operating within these systems. It’s no wonder mental health has become an ever-increasing battle – a common cold that doesn’t necessarily display its symptoms externally. I often think about the quote from electronic musician Burial (paraphrased by the late Mark Fisher) whereby we think we have free will when operating these networks, but it’s easy to flip this, and see the interface as a kind of Ouija board that actually directs our hands with consumerist intention.” – said the band.